Coming into this story, years late! ... But better than never, I suppose.
Interesting story you have woven, Stellar. I'm now sorta hooked and will read to the end, commenting where and when I think I can add to the discussion.
Hmm, I think we all want those things, along with knowing about the other groups that are skulking around!
I'm beginning to think that the 'curse' that has afflicted Adain is the only thing keeping him alive. And sane.
His mother knew what was happening and also knew that Adain would try and break the ward(s), so she purposefully set a curse to protect him.
It was an early design by Northrop Gruman but Raytheon beat them out. 😇
I have to bow at the sarcasm in the above two remarks!
But sometimes, not quick enough. It's a design of the conscious I believe.
Great chapter, Geron!
Hmm, while struggling with some health issues, the next chapter is only partly done at 60K words...
I didn't even need to open that link. I knew what it was!
I really, really hate those rabbit holes!
Even if I got that wrong, being the type of mages that they are, each will have kept secrets from the other.
I'm also factoring in that so far, all reports of Lodda are that he is a myth and more powerful than Povus.
I would hazard a guess that besides being looked upon as inferior, a witch's magic was enough dissimilar that the mind control may not have been as effective.
That would make the story even more convoluted than it already is, so I don't think that is a likely scenario.
Begs the question, who would Lodda be? - Regardless, it is now inescapable that Lodda exists and is alive. Since Porvus is/was his apprentice, Lodda is even more powerful. Even more caution is warranted.
It had to be highly frustrating for the Japanese. They had to identify the language, then they had to identify the code words. They didn't and they didn't.
The Navajo Marines also had to push through the prejudice they found when they finally got out in the field. It wasn't an easy thing for those young men.
Navajo Weapon: The Navajo Code Talkers by Sally McClain. Ms. McClain was on a book tour and I have a signed copy from 2019.
Bill has it correct. They essentially built up a code within a code, since so many things military had no corresponding Navajo word. The book goes into great detail on how this all happened.
@drpaladin, after reading that part above and rereading about its creation, the lens (disc) is a kind of symbiote. Yes, you were correct. The lens does anchor Jamie's magic core. Now he needs to find a way to help his companions anchor theirs.
This has all left me wondering whether or not the 'flame' Jamie gave Gorge will become more Gorge's own core of magic (and less Jamie's) with more use and time.